Cats cruise past Dogs to go top in AFL

Geelong have stormed to the top of the AFL ladder after crushing the Western Bulldogs by 57 points at Etihad Stadium.

Geelong’s one-two punch of Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood stunned the listless Dogs in the first half on Saturday night, with Luke Beveridge’s men managing just one goal to trail by 48 points at halftime.

The Bulldogs mustered a challenge in the third quarter, outscoring the Cats four goals to one, but Geelong wrested the momentum to cruise to the 16.4 (100) to 5.13 (43) win.

Dangerfield didn’t quite reach the heights of last week’s career-best 48-possession effort, but he was still his side’s best player, with 37 disposals and two goals.

Selwood, Jimmy Bartel and Steven Motlop were important through the middle, while Daniel Menzel and Tom Hawkins booted four goals each in attack.

Corey Enright, Lachie Henderson and Harry Taylor formed the backbone of a defensive unit the Dogs rarely found a way through.

The Bulldogs simply had no answers to the Cats’ relentless pressure in a first half, when most of the their key players struggled to exert any influence.

Matthew Suckling was one of few Dogs to impress throughout, with Matthew Boyd and Jack Macrae working hard.

The win continues Geelong’s domination of the Dogs, who have lost the past nine games between the teams.

Chris Scott’s side joined North Melbourne and Hawthorn with 10 wins for the season, but go top by virtue of their superior percentage.

Cameron Guthrie was a late withdrawal for the Cats through illness, while ruckman Zac Smith was unable to finish the game with a leg injury.

MORE TO COME

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